Jesus is Essential
Luke 2:51–52: Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Luke was careful to point out that Jesus was obedient to Joseph and Mary in case his readers would think otherwise from the previous paragraph. Mary treasured all these things in her heart, reflecting on and remembering her 12-year-old’s words, even though she did not understand them.
Perhaps Luke received these details about the early years of Jesus from Mary herself or from someone in whom she had confided. Jesus continued to grow (lit., “cut one’s way forward,” i.e., “increased”) in every way (spiritually, mentally, and physically) and had favor with God and men (cf. v. 40). 1
Walking with Jesus
Obedience is a game changer. Without obedience, no one and nothing every changes. Things actually get worse. With obedience, there is a sweet outpouring of the Holy Spirit which is manifested by an abundance of love towards others. Today, the absence of obedience is obvious in the Body of Christ. We need greater love!
So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22
Obedience is an outward sign of an inward work of humility. – TWEET IT
Praying
Lord, I am so thankful for Your humility, to die on a cross for me. That humbles me.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1998). Luke: that you may know the truth. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
